Heavy In The Hand

[William Schrade]

I was showing someone my progression in knife making and commented about my first knives were heavy because I was still learning and did not lighten the tangs. My first knives were .250 440c and heavy.

Although not heavy enough for a boat anchor, when is a knife that's heavy in the hand desirable?

 

[mete]

Not usually "heavy in the hand". Weight is something we need when we need a chopper .The thicker the tree the heavier the knife . The other important thing is balance . This is important for big or small knives.
A small knife balance should be just behind the guard .Yes it makes a big difference !! I had a very nice knife reworked to get proper balance .Cut out material in the tang . The knife was then a pleasure to use. A chopper balance is much further forward.
For a typical hunting knife the typical dimensions are , 4" x1/8", x1" blade. That's all you need !!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

In a knife "Heavy in the Hand" is often all about balance and feel more than weight. As mete said, for some jobs weight is needed. Axes need more weight than hatchets, and choppers need more weight than slicers.
However, I have held swords that feel more "light in the hand" than an unbalanced camp knife, and fighters that "feel" light as a feather, when they actually weigh a fair bit.

 

[ron_m80]

6-7" combat knives, according to Applegate - Fairbairn. That's one possible answer. The Boker design of their knife actually has weights in the handle.